Weakness in the rear legs can also be a sign of chronic renal failure. Especially at that age.
Sent from my iPhone On Nov 17, 2011, at 4:10 AM, "danbin...@netzero.com" <danbin...@netzero.com> wrote: > I really appreciate everyone who responded to my post. It makes me feel a > bit more secure knowing there are others rooting for our success. > > I think that my keeping Buster on prednisolone is a requirement since he has > been on it for so long. I am sure it has compromised his adrenals and that > without pred, he will have Cushings (or maybe Addison's). > > Beth - Buster did have blood work done, in 2009, and it was all fine. ELISA > was negative. Before I took in this older cat (her guardian died and the > rescue group was unable to find anyone to take her), I asked to have the cat > tested. I have 2 other, indoor only, cats and I wanted to make sure that I > didn't bring disease into the house. I was told that the new cat tested > negative for FIP and FeLV. I do trust the woman who asked me to take in the > older kitty, but I have no paperwork to verify. > > Although Buster lived amicably with my 2nd cat, she hated the new cat. The > new cat caused Buster a lot of stress. I tried everything, Rescue Remedy, > Feliway etc. Finally, after about a year, things settled down. I never saw > any wounds, on either cat, but I know there were 'minor' fights as I found > tufts of hair around (including once or twice hanging out of Buster's mouth!) > They still hiss, but mostly try to stay out of one another's way > > My vet didn't want to give me the prednisolone, but I was frantic, unable to > pay for any more investigative work, and wanted my cat well. I live over 90 > miles, one way, from my (any) vet, and I think she gave me the pred. out of > kindness. Regardless of good or bad, Buster has been on 5mg for 2 years. > > I don't think Buster has stomatitis now, although eating does appear painful > at times. Back in 2010, the vet did extract a couple of teeth. And, a > tooth, or two just disintegrated when she was cleaning his teeth. Last time > he was under (2010) she said his throat appeared inflamed, but I do pill him > everyday and I am sure that caused that inflammation > > He doesn't eat a lot, and he eats small amounts many, many, many times > throughout the day. Occasionally, he does stop eating and I need to syringe > food. He doesn't/can't eat dry food any more. > > I will look at his gums tomorrow. > > Marta, I agree and appreciate your thoughts 'it is what it is'. I am trying > my best, by myself, to keep Buster alive. At this point, my focus is only to > keep him happy, comfortable and with me. I finally realized, he won't get > well. I do think he wants to stay alive. Although failing, he sits with me, > sleeps with me, communicates with me etc. He does have muscle weakness in > the back end. He can't sit to groom without falling. > > One odd thing, that I have never been able to figure out, is when he sits, > his bottom doesn't touch the floor????? And, now, to lay down he has to > kinda settle himself carefully. Something is hurting I am sure. > > Not sure why this 'phone vet' thought FeLV except for the inappetance. But, > when I looked at the Cornell site, Buster had more than half the symptoms. I > do know that these are common symptoms for many illnesses. > > Maybe he doesn't have FeLV, and maybe he does..... It's a great comfort to > me to have a sounding board and to hear how others are treating their kitties. > > Buster has just begun sneezing, just a bit, but no blood. > > In general, how long do FeLV cats live without Interferon etc? Can they be > kept alive with the right drugs, or 3 years is pretty much it, plus or minus? > > Thanks! > > PS All my cats share common food and water bowls and litter box. > > debbie > > ____________________________________________________________ > 60-Year-Old Mom Looks 27 > Mom Reveals Free Wrinkle Trick That Has Angered Doctors! > http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3231/4ec489a9942c9157800st01duc > > _______________________________________________ > Felvtalk mailing list > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org